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When physical therapists become well-established or develop large practices, they may not have enough time to give all of their patients the necessary attention. They may rely on physical therapist assistants, or PT assistants, to help with such tasks as observing patients, demonstrating assistive devices and recording progress. Like most jobs, there are advantages, but also some disadvantages, to working as a PT assistant.

Low Educational Requirements

PT assistants may begin work with only an associate degree, which takes about two years to complete. They typically undergo an additional few weeks or months of on-the-job training to obtain necessary clinical experience. All totaled, the training period for assistants to enter the physical therapy field is much shorter than that of physical therapists, who require a master's degree in physical therapy. This takes at least three years of full-time study beyond the four years needed for the prerequisite undergraduate degree.

Job Growth

The largest segment of the American population -- baby boomers -- will continue to become senior citizens from 2010 to 2020. Individuals in this group suffer more chronic medical conditions that require physical therapy. In addition, baby boomers are remaining far more active than in previous generations, which may also result in more temporary injuries. These factors are expected to contribute to the expected 46 percent growth for physical therapist assistants, which is more than three times the 14 percent increase for jobs in all fields.

Above-Average Salaries

Given the low educational requirements, physical therapist assistants received above-average salaries of $51,110 per year, or $24.57 per hour, as of May 2011, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The average annual salary for all occupations was $45,230, as of May 2011. Pay for the highest earners topped $71,200 yearly, or $34.23 hourly. Most found work in the offices of physical therapists to average an annual $49,430, or $23.77 per hour. But the highest wages were in management, scientific and technical consulting services, at a mean $75,680 per year, or $36.38 per hour.

High Demands

As with physical therapists, the jobs of PT assistants can be physically demanding. They must remain on their feet for most of the day. They also require the strength to set up heavy equipment, such as traction machines and weights, and to help patients who have difficulty moving. As with all jobs in health care, those of assistants can also be emotionally demanding. They deal with patients who may be suffering from extreme pain, and who may be angry, confused or in denial about their health conditions. Assistants must remain calm and pleasant so that they can provide effective treatment.

About the Author

Aurelio Locsin has been writing professionally since 1982. He published his first book in 1996 and is a frequent contributor to many online publications, specializing in consumer, business and technical topics. Locsin holds a Bachelor of Arts in scientific and technical communications from the University of Washington.